Silvia Goes Topless!

byAmanda SilvaonOctober 20, 2015

That’s right!

I firmly believe that less is more and there is nothing quite as exhilarating as riding with the top down in aJeep Wrangler Miami beauty. And you can do the same, courtesy of enticing dealership incentives, as well as purchase and lease options for the 2016 model year.

Think a new or used Jeep Wrangler might be just what you need to get excited about driving again? I’ll give you all the ins and outs of this beloved, one-of-a-kind automotive icon. I’m confident you’ll find it more fun to “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” topless.

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler – Stands Alone

But not in “The Cheese Stands Alone” kind of way.

No, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler stands alone because it has no competition to speak of. It’s the only convertible SUV on the market and certainly the only one that can conquer the all-terrain of the off-road with such skill. More than that, it’s just so much fun to drive because there is nothing else like it and because it’s image lives in the collective American memory as evocative of freedom. This is the vehicle that shuttled our troops across Europe during World War II, the vehicle that has become an American icon as much as an automotive one.

The great thing about the Wrangler is that it comes in two distinct body styles, so even though it’s a unique vehicle on the market, you do have some choice when it comes to your driving needs.

First up, the classic Wrangler is a two-door vehicle, able to accommodate four passengers. The Wrangler Unlimited has four doors and can seat up to five people.

These two share three trim levels: the Sport, the Sahara, and the Rubicon. Each one can be customized and personalized to your every whim, thanks to available special editions and packages.

No matter which model you choose, the vinyl convertible roof comes standard; however, you can always opt for the hardtop, which comes with removable panels located above the front seats.

Either way, it’s easy to drop the top and take off…

Let’s take a look at the equipment distinguishing the two body styles from each other so that you can best determine which Jeep suits you best.

How does the Wrangler Unlimited differ? It gets a larger gas tank, a 60/40-split-fold, tumble-forward seat, and air-conditioning. Miami drivers want the Unlimited for this reason alone.

For added creature comforts, opt for the Power Convenience Group, available on both models, which provides keyless entry, security alarm, heated power mirrors, power locks and windows, and an automatic-dimming mirror.

Moving up a level to the Sahara line, expect all the goods from the Power Convenience Group, along with an insulated hood for noise reduction, automatic headlamps, satellite radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

All of this comes in the Unlimited as well, in addition to back-seat passenger grab handles and tubular side steps.

At the top of the trims stands the high-end Rubicon, which is notable for its off-road prowess more so than luxurious interior features. If you opt for the Rubicon, you’ll drive on 32-inch tires wrapped around 17-inch alloy wheels, a robust Dana 44 front axle, paired to the Dana 44 rear axle, along with an enhanced transfer case with reduced crawl ratio, an electronically disconnecting front sway bar, automatic headlights, rock rails, and electronic locking differentials in the front and back.

The interior is enhanced with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, air-conditioning, satellite radio, and an 115-volt, household-style power outlet.

Keep in mind, the Power Convenience Group is standard fare on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, but optional with respect to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

There is a wealth of other options, packages, enhancements, and stand-alone add-ons to further enhance both the 2016 Jeep Wrangler and 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Based off the Sport or Rubicon models, you might want to consider one of the available special-edition packages, including the Willys Wheeler, the Freedom Edition, the Black Bear Edition – new for 2016, or the Rubicon Hard Rock, each of which showcases different equipment for varying performance and capability, both on and off the road.

Humming Under the Hood of the 2016 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited

Both the 2016 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited share a powertrain, specifically, the 3.6-liter V6 engine, rated at 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard power to the wheels comes from four-wheel drive, equipped with both high and low-range gearing. Operated by a standard six-speed manual transmission supported by hill start assist, you can always switch it out for the available five-speed automatic transmission which features hill start assist and hill descent control.

Maximum towing capacity is rated at 2,000 pounds for the Wrangler while the Wrangler Unlimited tops out at 3,500 pounds.

According to performance testing administered by Edmunds, the 2016 Jeep Wrangler with manual transmission was able to zip from zero to sixty mph in just 6.9 seconds, which is rather surprising if you consider the somewhat sluggish acceleration of its predecessors.

The Wrangler Unlimited, likely owing to its extra heft, took 8.8 seconds on the same test when paired with the automatic transmission.

No matter which transmission you prefer, the fuel economy from the Wrangler stands at the EPA estimates of 17 city, 21 highway, and 18 mpg combined. The Unlimited matches the combined 18 mpg but returns 16 city, 21 highway from the manual setup, and 16 city, 20 highway from the automatic configuration.

Wrangling A Few Unlimited Details…

Let’s say you want to grab some pals and hit the road, or the off-road as the case may be. Whoever is relegated to the back seats in the Wrangler will likely be a bit uncomfortable, especially if they’re leggy. Accessing the limited space in the back is tough unless the top is down – an endeavor which can take a bit of time (soft-top), and is infinitely easier with the help of a friend or two (the hardtop takes muscle to lift on and off). The backseat of the Wrangler Unlimited doesn’t offer much more in the way of space or rear-seat comfort.

Cargo space is on par with what you might expect from a compact car, rather than an SUV when it comes to the Wrangler, measured at 12.8 cubic feet, and 70.6 cubic feet from the folded seats. However, the Unlimited gives you 31.5 cubic feet, which extends to 70.6 cubic feet once the rear seats are folded down.